Netflix’s Stranger Things successor has arrived — just don’t expect a shared universe

Image: Netflix

Following the monumental global success of Stranger Things, the Duffer Brothers have remained deeply embedded in the creative landscape, lending their executive producing expertise to a slate of compelling Netflix projects. However, their latest endeavor feels perhaps the most spiritually aligned with their breakout hit yet.

Enter The Boroughs, a fresh series from the creative minds of Jeffrey Addis and Will Matthews (known for their work on The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance). The narrative centers on a group of retirees who settle into a seemingly idyllic New Mexico community. With its well-manicured greens, active social scene, and attentive staff, The Boroughs presents itself as a peaceful paradise. Yet, as protagonist Sam Cooper—portrayed with gravitas by Alfred Molina—soon realizes, a darker, otherworldly malevolence simmers beneath this tranquil surface, compelling him and his peers to unite against a terrifying interdimensional threat.

The eerie, small-town-meets-the-unknown premise has drawn inevitable comparisons to Stranger Things. Since the show’s initial reveal, speculation has run rampant among fans, with many theorizing that The Boroughs might exist as a clandestine spinoff of the Duffer Brothers’ flagship series.

Ahead of the series launch, we caught up with the showrunners to address these persistent rumors directly. Does The Boroughs share DNA with the Hawkins universe?

“I want to be categorical: that is not the case,” Addis clarified during our video interview. “While we hope Stranger Things fans find a lot to love in our show, we want to be completely transparent. This is entirely separate from the Stranger Things mythos. What Matt and Ross have built is singular and special—it deserves to stand on its own, just as we are building something of our own.”

While Addis firmly dismissed the connection, co-creator Matthews admitted that the elaborate fan theories—particularly the notion that the protagonists are older versions of characters like Will and Mike seeking a quiet retirement—are undeniably imaginative.

“It’s simply not true,” Matthews added, “but I have to admit, it’s a brilliant theory.”

Even without a direct connection to Hawkins, The Boroughs promises to satisfy fans of high-concept genre storytelling. Its creators have described the tone as a fusion of “Stranger Things meets Cocoon,” suggesting a unique blend of heart, aging, and suburban suspense.

The Boroughs makes its streaming debut on Netflix on May 21.

Source: Polygon